Can you believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner? While Thanksgiving is a time for delicious food, football, and cherished family traditions, it's also a great opportunity to reconnect with our faith. Thanksgiving can feel like a day that’s more focused on turkey and stuffing rather than gratitude and meaning, but we’re here to give you five practical tips to engage your faith in Christ this holiday season!
Let’s Talk History: The Pilgrims
Thanksgiving has a rich history that’s rooted in gratitude. Remember the Pilgrims? After settling in New England and enduring a harsh first winter, they celebrated a successful harvest by eating a meal together. The pilgrims were intent on expressing their thanks to God for His provision, honoring Him as the God who answers prayers. This spirit of thankfulness is what Thanksgiving is all about!
As we fast forward to our modern times, Thanksgiving has evolved into a day centered around family gatherings and (let's be honest) impressive and sometimes complicated feasts. While these traditions are wonderful, wouldn't it be amazing to also use this time to nourish our faith too?
5 Practical Steps for A Meaningful Thanksgiving
Faith is on the agenda this year! Here are some of our favorite ways to cultivate a more faith-filled and meaningful Thanksgiving.
1. Nourish Gratitude:
Here at Ask About My Faith, we believe in the power of gratitude. One of the best ways to rediscover faith this Thanksgiving is to be honest with God about what you’re grateful for. Gratitude is scientifically proven to be good for you, no matter what you’re facing in life. So whether you’re cooking, cleaning, getting ready, or eating, be sure to stop, take a moment, and remember what you have to be thankful for.
As you’re becoming more intentional to be more grateful, you can record what you’re grateful for by starting a gratitude journal, either through a physical notebook or an app. You can also share joy by telling a family member, “Thank you!” (and really meaning it!) Sharing compliments, thanks, and kind words to others counts as gratitude too, you just happen to be saying what you’re thankful for out loud! And of course, engaging with God in the place of prayer is super beneficial as well. By thanking God for His blessings, we nourish gratitude, rediscover our faith, and remember what’s truly important in our lives.
Learn more about the radical power of thanksgiving in our blog: The Benefits of Gratitude
2. Read the Bible:
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17 NIV
The Bible is overflowing with verses about God’s goodness! This Thanksgiving, carve out some time to read the Scriptures about God’s love, explore the stories of His faithfulness, and pay attention to how He always keeps His promises. Reading God’s Word is a powerful way to deepen your faith and appreciation for God.
Don’t know where to start? See our post for inspiration: 21 Bible Verses on Gratitude
3. Praise God Through Prayer:
Prayer isn’t just a powerful weapon in the spirit, it’s also a powerful and beautiful way to connect with God, anywhere, at any time! Take some quiet moments during your Thanksgiving day and express to God what you’re thankful for. This is also a great time to ask God for guidance, wisdom, and courage if your family situation is tense. You can ask God for grace, perspective, and the gift of faith for those in your family who don’t know Jesus yet or for those in your family who are sick and need healing.
Need wisdom on how to make it through Thanksgiving dinner without a crazy argument? See our blog post: How to Love Someone You Disagree With
Also, when it comes to prayer, you don’t have to worry about having all the right words or saying just the right thing: you can talk to God like you would talk to a friend. If you need a starting point, read our resources on prayer!
4. Serve Those Around You:
During one of Jesus’ most famous talks, The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” and “When you give to the needy, don’t announce it!” There is something beautiful and sacred about giving to those in need…especially when we don’t post about it. This Thanksgiving, consider donating to a local food bank, delivering meals to the homeless, baking cookies for the elderly, or helping a neighbor in need. You can be the hands and feet of Jesus this holiday season! Serving others like Jesus did is a beautiful way to show our gratitude for God and help spread His love and joy wherever we are.
5. Immerse Yourself in Community:
As much fun as the post-dinner-Netflix-binge may sound, it’s important to foster community with friends, family, and loved ones…not just to stare at a television together. Remember: though Thanksgiving is on a Thursday this year, there’s so many days before and after the holiday to have fun with those you love! Game nights, coffee dates, or a gingerbread house competition are some great ways to foster community, share your faith, and love those around you!
As we gather around tables all across the country this Thanksgiving, let's stop to remember the true meaning of the holiday: a set apart time to express our heartfelt gratitude to God. Rediscovering faith and re-engaging with God gets to be a joyful thing this year! Let the delicious food and joyful company be a reminder of all God’s blessings towards you…and may your favorite sports team win!
Want to dedicate your life to the God who loves you, just as you are? Receive the transformative love of Jesus into your heart: check out our guide on how to welcome Jesus into your life!
